The Englishman has emerged as a shock target for the Blues as Antonio Conte looks to bolster his attacking options going into the second half of the season.

Record summer signing Alvaro Morata, who had a blistering start to his career at Stamford Bridge, has failed to score in his last five games, with their being suggestions both the lack of a winter break and help in the goalscoring department at the club being to blame for his recent poor form.

Former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp thinks just that, saying: “It is no surprise that Alvaro Morata is struggling for form. Having played all his football in Spain and Italy, Morata is playing his first season without a winter break.”

Morata’s second hand man Michy Batshuayi, perhaps undeservedly, has found game time at the Bridge hard to come by this season, leading to rumours he could be on his way out of the the club before the end of the month.

Carroll has been identified as a potential replacement for the Belgium international, with the Blues keen to take him on-loan until the end of the season, and send Batshuayi in the other direction to West Ham.

The Chelsea fans are less than happy …

There's no way you can justify Andy Carroll to Chelsea.. even the most positive Chelsea fans wouldn't like him here. The champions of England shouldn't be targeting players like that.

Imagine Chelsea see Carroll and Sanchez for same fee but prefer Carroll! Like having a choice between Susan Boyle and Kim Kardashian! And telling Kim she isn’t for you! Chelsea is a joke club! And us fans are the court Jesters! #CFC